Clock-case.



C. B. HALE.

CLOCK CASE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. ms.

Patented July 8, 1919.

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THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0,, WASHINGTON, D. c-

UNITED STATEE PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES BALLARD HALE, OF PARK RIDGE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO TIME-SYSTEMS COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

CLOCK-CASE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 8, 1919.

Application filed May 20, 1916. Serial No. 98,766.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES BALLARD HALE, a citizen of the United States, resid-- ing at Park Ridge, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clock- Cases,-of which the following is a specifi-' cation.

This invention relates to clock cases and has for its object not only the provision of a case of an inexpensive yet durable and simple construction, but also one in which the glass may be readilyv and firmly fixed without multiplying or increasing the necessary parts. I

In addition to this, it is the object of the present invention to support the casingfroin a base or back board, which may be secured as desired, in such a manner that the locks and hinges heretofore necessary in such structures are eliminated.

With the above and other objects in view, as will be apparent, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts all as hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a front elevation of a clock casing constructed in accordance with the present invention;

. Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken along line 22 of Fig. 1 to illustrate the clock casing in conjunction with the base or back board thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, but fragmentary, similar section for illustrating the details of construction in mounting the glass;

Fig. 4 is likewise an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, similar to Fig. 2 and sets forth in detail the means of supporting the casing on the base or back board, and the lock usedin so supporting said casing;

Fig. 5 is a Vertical sectionalong line 5-5 of Fig. 2 and illustrates, in elevation, the cooperation between the casing and base or back board; and

Fig. 6 isa view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating a modified means of mounting the glass The casing C of the present invention 18 constructed of a single piece of metal either spun, drawn or stamped to the shape and form required. A dial plate 10 forms the center of the casing and has the designations of time placed thereon in any suitable or conventional manner (as illustrated in Fig. 1). Surrounding the dial plate is a sloping surface 11 which terminates in the shoulder 12, provided, as will be seen, to form a mounting for the glass 13. Concentrically arran ed relative to the dial plate 10, the surface 11, and the shoulder 12, is a second shoulder 14 which acts as a seat for the clamping strip or ring 15 of ratan, wicker or other suitable material; said ring being so situated when seated on the shoulder '14 that it overlaps the circumference of the glass 13 and firmly retains it in position. The casing 0 extends somewhat beyond the shoulder 14, as indicated at 16, where it is rebent to form the body or shell 17 of the casing 0, thus forming a bead 18, the contour of said bead 18 and body or shell 17 being of any pleasing or artistic design. 7

The body or shell 17 of the casing G extends for some considerable distance to the rear of the dial platelO, and while it is concentric relative thereto it is spaced therefrom to a more'or less degree. To the rear of the dial plate 10 the body 17 of the casing C terminatesin theflange 19, provided to embrace the base or backboard and thereby support the casing.

By an examination of Figs. 2 and 3 it becomes manifest that the dial plate 10 is countersunk from the bead 18, by reason. of the presence of the sloping surface 11 and the shoulders 12 and 14, which latter are likewise removed from said bead. This allows for the mounting of the hands of the clock and at the same time encircles the glass 13' with the protecting head 18. The glass 13 having been previously placed on. the supporting shoulder 12 therefor, is held from displacement by the clamping strip or ring 15, laid on the shoulder 14 and overlapping the circumference of the glass. Brads, nails, or other suitable fastening elements 20 are driven through the ring or strip 15 and into the shoulder 14: of the casing C, thereby holding the strip or ring 15 in place and securely clamping the glass 13 upon the shoulder 12. The clamping ring or strip 15 being of a comparatively soft and fibrous material, and the casing being of steel, or other applicable metal or material, no difliculty is experienced in driving the brads or nails 20 through said ring or strip 15 into the metal of the casing C.

17 and the flange 19, isconstructed of a single section or piece of metal or like material, spun, drawn or stamped into the form described. As the material which the easin C isconstructed is somewhat thin it possesses certain inherent resiliency, whereby pressure applied to diametrically opposed portions of the body or shell 17 causes the flange l9 to'temporarily assume an elliptical form that it loses when the pressure is r leased and the flange 19 permitted to return to its normalcondition.

This resiliency is utilized in'removably securing the casing C to base or back board 21. The formation of this base or back board 21, is clearly set forth in Fig. 5, in

which the flange 19 of the casing C is illustrated in its normal condition, thereby accentuating the slightlyblliptical construc-' tion of the base or back board 21. Thus by applying pressureto the diametrically opposed portions of the flange 19 of the casing G coinciding with the short axis of the base or back board 21, the diametrically opposed portions of the flange at the terminals of the right angularly disposed diameter of the casing C will be moved from each other as the flange 19 assumes an elliptical formation corresponding generally to the contour of the base or back board 21.

The base orback board 21 may, oi. course, be constructed of any suitable mater'al, such as wood, fiber, steel, etc, and as it is usually comparatively thin, it has a certain amount of flexibility, (though, of course, may be absolutely rigid) whereby it may,.within reasonable limits" conform to any irregularities in the supporting structure to which it is attached. Holes 22 are provided in the back or base board 21 for the reception of bolts, screws, or the like, which secure said back or base board to its supporting structure. In order to relnovably lock and secure the casing C to the back or base board 21, the latter has a spring lockbar secured thereto along the long axis thereof; the terminals of said lockbar 23 projecting beyond the periphery of the back or base board 21,

at) are alined with the tits 21, and the flange 19 of the casing C allowed to return to its normalposition, thus projecting said lock- 1 ing tits 24 into the lock holes 25 and locking the casing C upon the base or back board is held in place on 21. .To remove the casing C from the base or back board 21, the flange 19 thereof is expandcdin the direction oi the longitudinal'axis of said base or back board, (as has been described), until the tits 2 1 are released by the lock holes 26, when the casing Ginay be removed. Manifestly the lock holes 26 are so located in the flange 19, that they are diametrically opposed, and when engaging the tits 24 of the lockbar 23 the dial 10 ot' the casing C will be positioned for reading.

In attaching base or backboard 21 to the Wall or other supporting structure the irregularities of such wall or supporting structure, may cause the base orbaek board to be so situated that the tits 21-will be a less distance from the wall or supporting structure than the lock holes 26 from the edge of the'flange 19. Hence it is desirable to provide an adjustment for the tits 2 whereby their positions relative to the base or back board 2l11naybe: regulated. "This is accomplished by springing the ends of the lockbar 28 away from the base or back board 21, as at 27, to form thespring arms 23 which normally extend at an angle to the plane of said base or back board 21. Adjust1ngscrews28 pass loosely through the over-size apertures 29 in the arms 23, and are threaded into the base or back board 21. Thus by tighting or loosening the adj ust- =1ng screws 28, the arms 23 may be moved to or away from the base or back board 21,

This construction not only provides for the accommodation of all irregularities in the wall or other supporting structure, but also creates an adjustment whereby all conditions, of this general type may. be met and overcome. By creating an independent adjustment for eacharm 23 the position of each tit 24 may be likewise iiulependently adjusted.

The modification illustrated in Fig. (i is in all essentials similar to the form illustra-tedin the remaining figures, being provided with a body or shell 17 encircling the dial plate 10 and connected to the dial plate by means of the sloped surface 11 and shoulders 12 and 14 the latter-terminating the head 18. Instead of having theshoulder portion or extension 16 straight as in the form otFig. 3, the head 18 is rolled creatlng a cavity 30 in the straight portion or shoulder 16, into which is brought the retaining member 15, constructed either of ratan, brasstubing or other spring metal. This form of construction secures the glass 13 in place without the use of the brads or nails 20. I

lVhat is claimed is: 1. A' casing comprising dial-plate, a-

shell encircling said'plate, and a plurality of shoulders between said plate and shell, in

combination with a glass on one of said shoulders, and a flexible strip resting on the other of said shoulders and overlapping the glass aforesaid.

2. A casing comprising a dial plate surrounded by a plurality of shoulders and a shell all formed from a single section of metal, in combination with a glass resting on one of said shoulders, and a retaining strip resting on the other of said shoulders and overlapping the glass aforesaid.

3. A casing comprising a dial plate surrounded by a plurality of shoulders and a shell all formed from a single section of metal, in combination with a glass resting on one of said shoulders, a flexible retaining strip resting on the other of said shoulders and overlapping said glass, and means, driven into the shoulder, for holding the strip in place.

4. The combination with a back board, of a bar extending thereacross and having tits at the ends thereof projecting beyond the edge of said board, and a casing adapted to embrace said back board and engage said tits.

5. The combination with a back board, of a bar extending thereacross and having tits at the ends thereof projecting beyond the edge of said board, and spring casing adapted to be distorted to embrace said. back board and engage said tits.

6. The combination with a back board, of a bar extending thereacross and having tits at the ends thereof projecting beyond the edge of said board, means foradjusting said. tits to and from said back board, and a. casing adapted to embrace said back board and engage said tits.

7. The combination with a back board, of a bar extending thereacross and having tits at the ends thereof projecting beyond the edge of said board, the ends of said bar being normally at an angle to said back board, means for varying the angularity of the ends of said bar, and a casing adapted to embrace said back board and engage said tits.

8. A clock casing comprising a shell of spring material, in combination with a back board adapted to be embraced by said shell, the shapes of said back board and shell being such that the base of the latter may be flexed with reference to the former for the engagement and disengagement of said back board by said shell.

9. A clock casing comprising a circular shell of spring material, in combination with an elliptical base board adapted to be embraced by said shell, and means at the ends of the major axis of said base board for engagement with said shell.

10. In a clock casing, the combination with a back board, of a shell cooperating therewith, a plurality of tits projecting peripherally from said back board, and means whereby said tits may be moved toward and from the surface of said back board.

11. In a clock casing, the combination with a back board, of a shell cooperating therewith, a plurality of tits projecting peripherally from said backboard for engagement with the shell aforesaid, and means whereby said tits may be independently moved toward or from the adjacent surface of said back board. CHARLES BALLARD HALE.

Copies of this potent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

, Washington, D. 0." 

